Siblings specialize in pedorthics – the right shoes

Thursday

Feb 21, 2013 at 4:31 PM

Consider the shoe: Women like high heels, and sometimes want red ones. Men like comfortable ones, maybe opting for one nice pair of leather shoes for dressing up and a closet full of sneakers and comfy Krocs.

By Lora E. IdeCorrespondent

Consider the shoe: Women like high heels, and sometimes want red ones. Men like comfortable ones, maybe opting for one nice pair of leather shoes for dressing up and a closet full of sneakers and comfy Krocs.But one local shoe specialist advises taking a closer look at the whole shoe issue, especially if people have diabetes, foot ulcers or foot abnormalities. In those cases, proper medical care through one's doctor and well-fitted shoes can be crucial to good health, said Giuseppe Lombardo, a longtime Ocala businessman formerly from New York.Lombardo and his sister, Elsa Lombardo, are trained in the field of pedorthics, in which health care specialists work with people to provide them footwear and supportive devices to address individual foot conditions. Lombardo fits, sells and repairs shoes and other leather goods from his shop, Lombardo's Comfort & Casual Shoes, on U.S. 200 just west of On Top of the World.The Lombardos were born in this country, growing up with hands-on experience passed along from their father, who came to the United States from Sicily during the 1950s.Lombardo, who also goes by "Joe," didn't immediately go into the family business. In high school he learned to build houses in carpentry school and later went into the military and worked on large jets. But then there were shoes, and his family's longtime association with them, so that's what he settled into.It was a good thing he did, because Lombardo's help changed his life, said Paul Renaud, a Marine who in 2002 stopped by the shoe shop.Renaud wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail, but he had serious foot issues from an injury in Vietnam. Lombardo began measuring Renaud's foot and experimenting, learning the shape of it so Renaud's foot could fit into the shoe in its proper place.This allows for the correct alignment of the body, which is especially important for a healthy back, Lombardo said."Joe took out the regular lining of the shoes that I wanted and began experimenting with other inserts. We kept going out in back of his shop so he could watch me walking," Renaud said during a telephone interview from his home in Maine.Once they got it right, Renaud packed his hiking boots and sturdy sneakers and hit the Appalachian Trail."I could even carry a 35-pound back pack. I was doing really well (walking about 300 miles) until I broke my leg. But I recuperated in record time, and soon after contacted two good friends I met the first day of my hike. Then we all climbed up Mount Katahdin (in Maine) together," Renaud said.That's the rewarding part of this particular field, said Elsa Lombardo, who works alongside her brother. Even when there have been really difficult foot issues, the two have been able to figure them out, she said.During the early part of the 20th century, the Lombardo's great-grandfather, grandfather and uncles began making horse saddles and other leather items and then got into shoes. The skills and abilities were passed along from generation to generation."Giuseppe has helped thousands of people, young and old, to find the best shoes for their particular problems. He was one of the people who was instrumental in getting me into a pair of shoes that allowed me to go hiking, and it was an amazing thing that he did for me," Renaud said.When it's a team effort, the results can be very good, Guiseppe Lombardo said."Elsa and I are just one part of a group effort. I work with doctors and shoe companies worldwide, and together we do what we can to get people into shoes that are right for them, that allow them to walk," he said.Renaud, originally from Massachusetts, moved to Millinocket, Maine, in 2006 with his wife, Jaime, after his adventures on the Appalachian Trail reminded him how much he loved the northeast and the changing of the seasons."I opened our Appalachian Trail Lodge soon after that. We have a cafe, shuttle service, mail drop service, and rooms in the lodge for hikers," he said.He lived in Florida for 20 year prior to moving and still returns in the hiking off-season to see his daughter in Ocala and son in Micanopy, and "Joe" for repairs to his shoes."He does really good work," said Irene Fauteux, of Oak Run, who was in the shop recently getting a handbag strap shortened.